Canadians split after Xi Jinping scolds Trudeau for leaking private conversation (VIDEO)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a tense exchange at the G20 summit in Indonesia that was caught on camera, and Canadians have lots of thoughts about what transpired.
The video was shared first on Twitter by CTV National News parliamentary reporter Annie Bergeron-Oliver.
According to the journalist, a Global News camera person spotted the politicians from across the room, and “booked it.”
They definitely got the shot.
“The Cdn Pool cam captured a tough talk between Chinese President Xi & PM Trudeau at the G20 today,” tweeted Bergeron-Oliver.
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The footage ā reminiscent of a shaky camera shot of a juicy, private conversation on The Kardashians ā shows Trudeau and Xi standing across from each other with the Chinese president’s translator in between them.
“Everything we discussed has been leaked to the paper, that’s not appropriate,” the translator relays to Trudeau.
The prime minister nods in understanding at the translator and turns looking intently at Xi as he continues to talk. At this point, Xi is smiling politely.
“And that’s not the way the conversation was conducted,” the translator continues to relay.
Xi continues to speak, this time using his hands as if to add stress to what he is saying. Trudeau moves closer to the president.
Before the translator can translate Xi’s sentence fully, Trudeau says, “In Canada, we believe in free and open and frank dialogue, and that is what we will continue to have.”
Xi continues to smile but is not looking at Trudeau as he speaks.
“We will continue to look to work constructively together, but there will be things we will disagree on,” adds the prime minister.
“That’s great, the condition’s first,” replies Xi, not fully facing Trudeau. The politicians shake hands and Xi walks away, his smile slowly disappearing from his face.
The Cdn Pool cam captured a tough talk between Chinese President Xi & PM Trudeau at the G20 today. In it, Xi express his displeasure that everything discussed yesterday āhas been leaked to the paper(s), thatās not appropriateā¦ & thatās not the way the conversation was conductedā pic.twitter.com/Hres3vwf4Q
ā Annie Bergeron-Oliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 16, 2022
The video quickly went viral, with many sharing their opinions on the awkward meeting.
“This is the first time I’ve seen President Xi getting annoyed in public,” said one Twitter user. “Justin Trudeau must be sweating in places where he didn’t even know he had sweat glands.”
This is the first time I’ve seen President Xi getting annoyed in public
Justin Trudeau must be sweating in places where he didn’t even know he had sweat glands pic.twitter.com/lQqAjx6yuX
ā Zhao DaShuai ę ę”件ē±å½šØš³ (@zhao_dashuai) November 16, 2022
Many Canadians were proud that the prime minister stood his ground.
“A bully is going to bully,” tweeted one Canadian. “Good on the PM for pushing back.”
A bully is going to bully. Makes them look weak when they feel the need to behave like that in public. Good on the PM for pushing back. Proud of you @JustinTrudeau. A pox on Canadians who side with a communist dictator.
ā Bill Brady šØš¦ (@sharemyopinion) November 17, 2022
“Trudeau was clear, honest, not denying disagreements, respectful and firm on his position,” added another.
I watched Prime Minister Trudeauās body language and his words and I agree with how he comported himself with President Xi who is no model – Trudeau was clear, honest, not denying disagreements, respectful and firm on his position. ā¦@JustinTrudeauā© https://t.co/6E7xT2ewDo
ā Raghu Venugopal MD (@raghu_venugopal) November 17, 2022
Only a dictator like President Xi Jinping of China, could see a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office, and say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “leaked” information. Canada is a democracy, not a dictatorship which means Justin strives to be transparent with 39,158,769 Canadians.
ā ā #TeamTrudeau ššØš¦ (@DrakeDBEST) November 16, 2022
And of course, there are those who criticize Trudeau for this move.
“Xi schools [Justin Trudeau] on the basics of diplomacy,” one person tweeted.
Xi schools @JustinTrudeau on the basics of diplomacy. Canada, worldās home to grotesque mining companies, tries to be hypocritical about liberal values but falls flat on basic protocols. https://t.co/F4ItUCQ3nC
ā Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) November 16, 2022
Trudeau catches š© from Xi Jinping for not keeping his narcissistic big mouth shut. Then Trudeau scurries off like a š after a light was switched on. pic.twitter.com/eO6DxiiVxl
ā Mike (@midnightriderV2) November 16, 2022
China’s foreign ministry responded to the video on Thursday, saying that the president was not criticizing Trudeau during the exchange, reportedĀ Reuters.Ā
This comes days after the prime minister made headlines for tweeting a factually incorrect claim that Iran had sentenced 15,000 protesters to death.